2022-08-01

"Morals Without Religion and other essays" by Margaret K. Knight (1903-1983)

 


Publisher: Dennis Dobson
Copyright: 1954
ISBN: None

Dr. Margaret Knight, a psychologist, is likely remembered in some certain circles as the person who created a fervour when she was finally permitted to broadcast two humanist programs on the BBC in the 1950s.

She did this in response to the standard education curriculum in Britain at the time which required students to be trained or better yet indoctrinated into the Christian belief system as put forward by the church of England. As I understand it parents who objected to this training had little to no choice if they wished their child to be educated.

This is an extremely interesting book to read given the current climate with regard to religion as a whole. The topics of humanism, culture, politics etc. are also dealt with to a certain point. 

As could be expected the information is somewhat dated being that the broadcast was 70 years ago. Even though the Christian religion is the only one actually mentioned in this book (other religions were rarely ever mentioned that long ago), it would be interesting to see what the reaction to a rebroadcast -- or better yet an updated broadcast that took into account the many different religions that are seen today. I'm sure somewhat the same response wold be garnered today, but I'm sure a number of them would be quite a bit stronger than simply writing letters. 

Well worth the read for both it's historical value, as well as an insight into how some people behave towards each other, especially when they feel long established boundaries have been crossed.

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